In today’s news: Cypress Hill on working with the London Symphony Orchestra, New BBC flagship arts show presenter finds theatre too ‘stressful’, and a musical odyssey about the desperate train journeys that divided India. Musikfest Berlin with 44.000 visitors, the Munich Radio Orchestra begins new season with new musical director, Gare du Nord in Basel begins new season.

Taking place in Hamptead and Highgate from 7 to 26 October, the festival – now in its ninth year – aims to throw the ‘stuffy’ rules found in traditional concert halls out the window, in order to offer a more accessible and enjoyable experience rooted in spirituality and relaxation.

The Wortham Theater Center — home to Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet — was so severely damaged by the flooding brought on by Hurricane Harvey that it will remain closed through at least May 15, the center announced on Monday night.

In our news today, Pierre Audi has been named the next director of the Aix-en-Provence Festival in southern France, Kip Winger, known for his late 1980s rock anthems, announces a new classical album, and tenor Nicky Spence talks about his musical love on and off the stage. Also, new free Apps for band success are presented by Digital Music News, and the classical music industry reacts to Brexit.

Some interesting opera may be ahead for New York. Pierre Audi, who recently became the artistic director of the Park Avenue Armory, has been named the next director of the Aix-en-Provence Festival in southern France, the festival announced on Friday.

The band Winger is perhaps best remembered for its late 1980s rock anthems, like “Seventeen.” Kip Winger, the group’s lead singer and bassist, held onto his rock roots, but lately he’s revealed another side: The genre of his new album is classical.

In today’s news, Sir Mark Elder is to become a companion of the RNCM, the South West Open Youth Orchestra is looking for young musicians with disabilities and the longest serving orchestra musician Jane Little dies. Also, a violoncello of Giovanni Battista Guadagnini changes hands with a record price and conductor Svjatoslav Luther is found dead in his apartment.

Sir Mark Elder is to become a companion of the RNCM. Companionship is the highest honour the RNCM can make; it is conferred upon persons of distinction who are deemed to have made an exceptional and enduring contribution to the life of the College.

Ermonela Jaho has capped off a wonderful start to 2016 by winning the Readers Award at the 2016 International Opera Awards. The Albanian soprano (pictured), who won praise earlier this year for her performance in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi at the Royal Opera House, collected her award at a glitzy ceremony at the Savoy Theatre in London that was attended by many of opera’s big names.

In our classical news today, a stolen three century old violin returns, BBC Proms sells record number of tickets in first hour of booking and the BBC Young Musician Competition 2016 announces the winner of the strings category final. Also, composer Joseph Bertolozzi creates a composition from the sounds of the Eiffel Tower and James Levine leads his last opera as Met Music Director after 40 years.

Korean cellist Yoon-Kyung Cho has been named the winner of the Musicians’ Company Prince’s Prize Competition, held at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London last week. She receives £10,000 and a Musicians’ Company silver medal, in addition to the £500 audience prize.